PLANTED TANK Help needed

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paradise

Polypterus
MFK Member
Jan 5, 2005
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OK, hopefully this gets some people's attention :)

I have an opportunity to make my 110g tall tank into a "planted" tank. The tank is 48" wide, 30" tall and 18" front to back. I can get a whole CO2 setup, including the 5g tank, the whole solenoid thing, w/bubble counter and the diffuser (Really good quality too) for $200. Dont ask how.

I have a 4x65w lights system on it, and 2x XP3 canisters.

I know it's a bit tall for a planted tank as far as light getting to the bottom of it, but I want some advice on Low-teching it . All the plant experts here, what would you recommend. I will keep a pair of S-veil tail angels (big) and a bunch of smaller fish, like bigger tetras and other similar stuff, plus ottos and whatever else.

OK, ideas, please :) (not stocking but more along the lines of how to do it right and pitfalls to avoid).
 
i'm sure you'll get a lot of help here. i failed at my attempt to grow plants... if i did it all over again, i would empty out a tank and pay more attention to doing the substrate right.
 
Have the basic set up already, the next thing is to ensure the correct choice of plants and plenty of it.

E tenellus is a high light plant in the begining. Once established, it will grow like weed and carpet your tank floor. By then, lighthing will not be as critical as when starting out. Since the tank is long and you have angels, you make want long leaves as a background, Cryptocoryne balansae is one of my favorite low light plants. And they require less maintainence.

Basically, to prevent algae during the initial phase, you need to have a whole tank FULL of plants. This will ensure that excess nutrients get soaked up and there will be none for algae.

Cheers,
 
Might want to take a look to see if you can get a bigger CO2 tank in the beginning. A 5# tank is a bit small for a tank that size (I run a 10# tank on my 90 gallon). Here's a breakdown of what a CO2 tank setup would cost.

10# tank - $75 filled
Milwaukee regulator (has built in bubble counter and solenoid) - $75
DIY reactor - depends on what you have (sealant and such), but <$30 (built mine for this price, but that's with clear polycarbonate, which is much nicer than even clear PVC)

Those are average prices for a CO2 setup and if that's what you're getting for $200, then I'd take the above route since it'll be cheaper.

The 4x65W that you're planning on using would put you in the range of low to moderate lighting (it's not linear). I would also echo Benny's advice of filling that tank up with quick growing stem plants in the beginning (also, transfer some mulm over from the other tanks to kick start this one). For starters, you can also read Rex's guide found here: www.rexgrigg.com
 
I think the substrate issue is important - get that wrong and you're in trouble.
I would recommend starting with reliable plants. Hornwort is idiot-proof (at least for this idiot) and an excellent algae suppressor and the ordinary Amazon swords are very tough.
I'd also try a couple of plants of lots of other types. Some will do well, some won't: then you can be Darwinian: the fittest ones (in your tank) are the ones to concentrate on - forget about struggling with the ones that don't do well in your water, temperature, lighting etc - unless you want to keep plants for the sake of it (and of course there's nothing wrong with that).

Alan
 
THanks everyone. Ibn, do you have anywhere a guide on how to set up that system? I am totally not a "handy" guy, so you have to chew it up for me.

I am planning a layered DEEP bed, about 5-6" tall, with layers of "plant" substrate and small (size12) silica sand (looks great). Starting only with long background plants and wood, plus some swords in the mid-range, maybe attached to driftwood anubas. Very simple. I used to have long Vals in my 29g. But they overgrew the top of the 24" tank, maybe in this tall (30") tank they will do good as background plant. They grow sideways and fill the space really well.
 
want low tech?

we have a 20 gallon. 3wpg thereabouts.

No filter, no heater. :)

Aside from only having sunlight on your tank, thats probably about as low tech as you'll get it. Thats what we're going to do with our 72 bowfront when we finally fix the stand.

I'm beginning to grow out my plants now in my five - my betta is as happy as a pig in, errr mud. as are my amano shrimp :)
 
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